Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral has won the best goal of the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026, after his outstanding curler against Argentina earned 88.7 per cent of the public vote.
FIFA announced on Sunday that the goal secured 88.7 per cent of the public vote in the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament competition, well ahead of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who finished second with 4.1 per cent. Japan’s Kaishu Sano placed third with 1.9 per cent, while France’s Kylian Mbappe and Mexico’s Julian Quinones also received votes.
Lopes Cabral scored the goal during Cape Verde’s Round of 32 match against defending champions Argentina, a 3-2 defeat in which the Blue Sharks twice fought back. Cutting in from the left flank, he curled past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez into the far corner.
The goal now advances to the next stage of the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament competition, where it will go up against the winning goals from the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals before a final public vote after the tournament ends.
